Listen and Wonder: Is It a Chicken or a Boy?
Overview
In this activity, students perform a basic primary source analysis of a 1941 sound recording of a six-year-old mimic imitating different sounds. Intended for use in an inclusive environment, students consider all of the boy’s sound impressions to guess when and where he lived and discuss what his life might have been like. Lastly, the class develops a list of familiar sounds and performs a “soundtrack” of their own lives.
Objectives
After completing the activity, students will be able to:
- Perform a basic analysis of a primary source
- Speculate about the life of a child in the past based on a primary source
- Identify sounds that represent their lives today
- Work collaboratively to create a “soundtrack” of these familiar sounds
Time Required
One class period
Recommended Grade Range
1-3
Topic/s
Culture, Folklife
Subject
Social Studies, Language Arts (Writing and Reading)
Standards
McREL 4th Edition Standards & Benchmarks
Arts and Communication: Role of Culture
Standard 4. Understands ways in which the human experience is transmitted and reflected in the arts and communication
Grades K-4 History
Standard 1. Understands family life now and in the past, and family life in various place long ago
Language Arts: Writing
Standard 1. Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process
Language Arts: Listening and Speaking
Standard 8. Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes
Download this Learning Activity (PDF/2.1Mb)
Download PDF Reader